Outdoor Rec. Fest.

Each year for about ten years or more, I’ve gone down to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center near Cold Spring to do a little bird banding demonstration for the visitors there.

Yesterday was this year’s date. The event was sponsored by the Taconic Center and the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society.

Even with threatening weather, the day draws a big crowd, with lots of outdoor activities to introduce newcomers to. There was kyacking, orienteering, bird walks, a program about hawks and owls, and my bird banding.

One of the essential ingredients to a bird banding program is to have a bird to band. That’s not always a easy feat. Fortunately, each time, I’ve been able to capture a few birds in my nets to show the folks up close.

Watching the change from a little bit courious to fascinated as I bring a bird out is one of the many rewards I get. There’s nothing like being able to show a male and female goldfinch up close to kids and adults. Also how else would folks get to see and appreciate the brood patch of a female Chipping Sparrow. Or the lack of one – ever- on a female cowbird, and why not.

The bood patch, incidently, is the area on a bird’s belly devoid of feathers so the parent bird can transmit body warmth to the eggs or fledglings. Usually this is found on females, but in some species, the males who assist in incubating develope a brood patch, albeit reduced.

There was a bus load of kids from New York City there. I know they really got a lot out of the whole day. I’m glad I managed to be part of some lasting memories for them. And thanks to the adults who took the time to bring them up! There were lots of smiles and high-fives at the end of the day.

On the way home, I stopped at Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill where several Upland Sandpipers had been seen. My son and one of the other Big Year participants were waiting for me there and sure enough there they were. Four Uppies.